Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a coupling device including a first antenna that radiates a first RF signal conveying first data; and a second antenna that radiates a second RF signal conveying the first data from the at least one transmitting device. The first RF signal and second RF signal form a combined RF signal that is bound by an outer surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a single longitudinal direction along the transmission medium. Other embodiments are disclosed.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A coupling device comprising: a first antenna that radiates a first radio frequency (RF) signal conveying data; and a second antenna that radiates a second RF signal conveying the data; wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are configured such that the first RF signal and second RF signal form a combined RF signal that is guided by an outer surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave in substantially a single longitudinal direction along the transmission medium and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal add constructively in the single longitudinal direction and cancel at least in part in a direction opposite to the single longitudinal direction.
A directional coupling device includes two antennas. A first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of a transmission medium, propagating as a guided electromagnetic wave. This wave travels primarily in one direction along the transmission medium. The signals are configured to reinforce each other in this forward direction and partially cancel each other out in the opposite direction, enhancing signal directionality.
2. The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the transmission medium comprises a wire.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, uses a wire as the transmission medium to guide the combined RF signal. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of the wire.
3. The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the guided electromagnetic wave propagates via at least one non-fundamental guided wave mode.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, operates such that the guided electromagnetic wave propagates via at least one non-fundamental guided wave mode. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of a transmission medium.
4. The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength and a quadrature phase difference and wherein the first antenna and second antenna are spaced a distance apart that corresponds to substantially one quarter of the common wavelength and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal are substantially in-phase.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, works by having the first and second RF signals share a common wavelength but have a 90-degree (quadrature) phase difference. The physical distance between the first and second antennas is approximately one-quarter of the common wavelength. Despite the phase difference, the RF signals emitted by the antennas are substantially in-phase to achieve constructive interference in the desired direction. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of a transmission medium.
5. The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength λ and a phase difference Δφ and wherein the first antenna and second antenna are spaced a distance d apart and wherein d+λΔφ/2π=λ/2.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, operates based on a specific relationship between the wavelength (λ) of the RF signals, the phase difference (Δφ) between them, and the distance (d) separating the antennas. The equation d + (λ*Δφ)/(2π) = λ/2 defines this relationship, ensuring constructive interference in the desired direction. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of a transmission medium.
6. The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are monopole antennas.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, uses monopole antennas as the first and second antennas. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of a transmission medium.
7. The coupling device of claim 6 , wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength and wherein the monopole antennas have an effective length of substantially one quarter of the common wavelength.
The directional coupling device described previously, which uses monopole antennas to transmit RF signals and create a guided electromagnetic wave, operates by having the monopole antennas with an effective length approximately equal to one-quarter of the common wavelength of the first and second RF signals. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of a transmission medium.
8. The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the combined RF signal includes a local maximum substantially aligned with the single longitudinal direction.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, produces a combined RF signal that exhibits a local maximum field strength. This maximum field strength is substantially aligned with the intended direction of propagation along the transmission medium. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of a transmission medium.
9. The coupling device of claim 1 , wherein the combined RF signal includes a local minimum aligned substantially opposite to the single longitudinal direction.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, produces a combined RF signal that exhibits a local minimum field strength. This minimum field strength is substantially aligned in the direction opposite to the intended direction of propagation along the transmission medium. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of a transmission medium.
10. A coupling device comprising: a first antenna that radiates a first radio frequency (RF) signal conveying data; and a second antenna that radiates a second RF signal conveying the data; wherein the first RF signal and second RF signal form a combined RF signal that is bound by an outer surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a first selected one of a plurality of longitudinal directions along the transmission medium, wherein the first antenna and second antenna are spaced a distance apart and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength and a first phase difference.
A directional coupling device includes two antennas. A first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal guided by the outer surface of a transmission medium. This wave propagates as a guided electromagnetic wave predominantly in one selected direction out of multiple possible directions along the transmission medium. The antennas are separated by a certain distance, and the RF signals have a common wavelength and a specific phase difference.
11. The coupling device of claim 10 , wherein the transmission medium comprises a wire.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, uses a wire as the transmission medium. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is guided along the outer surface of the wire to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a first selected one of a plurality of longitudinal directions along the wire, wherein the first antenna and second antenna are spaced a distance apart and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength and a first phase difference.
12. The coupling device of claim 10 wherein, when the first RF signal and the second RF signal are adjusted to have a second phase difference, the first antenna and second antenna form the guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a second selected one of the plurality of longitudinal directions along the transmission medium that is opposite to the first selected one of the plurality of longitudinal directions along the transmission medium.
The directional coupling device previously described, which uses two antennas to create a guided electromagnetic wave, can switch the direction of the wave. By adjusting the phase difference between the first and second RF signals, the combined electromagnetic wave can be made to propagate in the opposite direction along the transmission medium. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is bound by an outer surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a first selected one of a plurality of longitudinal directions along the transmission medium, wherein the first antenna and second antenna are spaced a distance apart and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength and a first phase difference.
13. The coupling device of claim 10 , wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are monopole antennas.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, uses monopole antennas as the first and second antennas. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is bound by an outer surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a first selected one of a plurality of longitudinal directions along the transmission medium, wherein the first antenna and second antenna are spaced a distance apart and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength and a first phase difference.
14. The coupling device of claim 13 , wherein the monopole antennas have an effective length of substantially one quarter of the common wavelength.
The directional coupling device described previously, which uses monopole antennas to transmit RF signals and create a guided electromagnetic wave, operates by having the monopole antennas with an effective length approximately equal to one-quarter of the common wavelength of the first and second RF signals. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is bound by an outer surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a first selected one of a plurality of longitudinal directions along the transmission medium, wherein the first antenna and second antenna are spaced a distance apart and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength and a first phase difference.
15. The coupling device of claim 10 , wherein the combined RF signal includes a local maximum substantially aligned with the first selected one of the plurality of longitudinal directions.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, produces a combined RF signal that exhibits a local maximum field strength. This maximum field strength is substantially aligned with the selected direction of propagation along the transmission medium. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is bound by an outer surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a first selected one of a plurality of longitudinal directions along the transmission medium, wherein the first antenna and second antenna are spaced a distance apart and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength and a first phase difference.
16. The coupling device of claim 10 , wherein the combined RF signal includes a local minimum aligned substantially opposite to the first selected one of the plurality of longitudinal directions.
The directional coupling device described previously, which includes two antennas transmitting RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, produces a combined RF signal that exhibits a local minimum field strength. This minimum field strength is substantially aligned in the direction opposite to the selected direction of propagation along the transmission medium. The first antenna transmits a first radio frequency (RF) signal carrying data. A second antenna transmits a second RF signal, also carrying the same data. These two RF signals combine to form a combined RF signal that is bound by an outer surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a first selected one of a plurality of longitudinal directions along the transmission medium, wherein the first antenna and second antenna are spaced a distance apart and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal have a common wavelength and a first phase difference.
17. A method comprising: generating a first radio frequency (RF) signal; generating second RF signal; and radiating, via an antenna array, the first RF signal and the second RF signal as a combined RF signal, wherein the combined RF signal is bound by an outer surface of a transmission medium to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a single longitudinal direction along the transmission medium and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal add constructively in the single longitudinal direction and cancel at least in part in a direction opposite to the single longitudinal direction.
A method for directional signal transmission involves generating a first radio frequency (RF) signal and generating a second RF signal. These signals are then radiated from an antenna array as a combined RF signal. This combined signal is guided by the outer surface of a transmission medium and propagates as a guided electromagnetic wave primarily in a single direction along the medium. The first and second RF signals are configured to constructively interfere in this forward direction, reinforcing the signal, and to partially cancel each other out in the opposite direction, enhancing directionality.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the transmission medium comprises a wire.
The directional signal transmission method described previously, which involves generating and radiating RF signals to create a guided electromagnetic wave along a transmission medium, utilizes a wire as the transmission medium to guide the combined RF signal. The method includes generating a first radio frequency (RF) signal and generating second RF signal; and radiating, via an antenna array, the first RF signal and the second RF signal as a combined RF signal, wherein the combined RF signal is bound by an outer surface of the wire to propagate as a guided electromagnetic wave substantially in a single longitudinal direction along the wire and wherein the first RF signal and the second RF signal add constructively in the single longitudinal direction and cancel at least in part in a direction opposite to the single longitudinal direction.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
April 24, 2015
July 11, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.